Sample Operations Analyst - Allbirds

Sample Operations Analyst | San Francisco, CA | Supply Chain Team | Reports to VP Supply Chain

Who is Allbirds?

At Allbirds, we believe in using business as a force for good. We're a global footwear and apparel brand with roots in New Zealand and headquarters in San Francisco. Since 2016, we've been on a mission to prove that comfort, design, and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive. Our commitment to creating better things in a better way is fueled by a belief that the fashion industry needs to focus less on flash and more on thoughtfulness. We're a certified B Corporation, meaning we meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. We're dedicated to making the most sustainable products we can using premium natural materials - designed for life's everyday adventures. In fact, TIME 100 named us for being one of the most innovative companies. Already calling our first shoe, the Wool Runners, the most comfortable in the world, and there is much more to come.

We take our craft seriously, but not ourselves. As part of the Allbirds family, you can look forward to team lunches, product tests, fun company events, inspiring guest speakers, comfortable shoes, sheep puns, and lots of creative ideas.

What does the job entail?

We are seeking a highly organized and analytical Sample Operations Analyst to manage and streamline Allbirds' sample operations. 

This role demands strong teamwork skills as well as project management and analytical skills, with an emphasis on data proficiency. The ideal candidate will excel at working across multiple large spreadsheets simultaneously, effortlessly manipulating and analyzing data to drive informed decisions. We are looking for someone who is entrepreneurial, thrives in an independent work environment, and can proactively implement change with minimal direction. Exceptional attention to detail is essential, given the financial and business impact of this role.

At Allbirds, we define our samples as either Development Samples, Salesman Samples (SMS) or Marketing Samples. This role will work in varying capacities across the three types of samples with a primary focus on SMS and Marketing samples. 

SMS and Marketing samples

Take ownership of the end-to-end process for SMS and marketing samples, encompassing order aggregation and submission, budgeting, reporting, physical organization, domestic shipping, and final disposition. This role involves managing the entire workflow, including coordinating with the Asia Operations team to drive sample submission deadlines, receiving sample requests from 3P and marketing teams, and ensuring timely submission of all sample orders all the way through to sample receipt and eventual disposition. 

We are seeking an individual to lead this process with a focus on setting clear deadlines, overseeing reporting, tracking orders through to delivery, and building processes where needed. The goal is to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and seamless execution at every stage.

Development samples 

You will ensure that the Product teams at our San Francisco headquarters and Portland office have access to color samples at key stages of the product creation process. This includes managing physical samples for product review meetings, properly allocating color samples between San Francisco and Portland offices, and overseeing the end-of-season confirmation sample archiving process.

What You'll Do: 

Project Management

• Manage sample requests from cross-functional partners, overseeing the entire process from request to receipt. Ensure alignment with company calendars and deadlines, collaborating closely with Asia Operations to facilitate timely sample submissions.
• Lead meetings to communicate sample deadlines, share updates on progress, and address any issues, ensuring cross-functional partners are informed and aligned throughout the process.
• Clearly communicate completed tasks and any outstanding issues to relevant team members on a regular basis.
• Notify relative stakeholders on late / missing samples working closely with our Asia Operations team. 

Data Manipulation / Analysis

• Efficiently manipulate large product datasets to identify errors, combine lists, and perform ad hoc analysis using advanced excel / google sheet formulas 
• Analyze past sample orders to generate insights for future sample planning.
• Collaborate with finance and logistics to track and manage sample spend within budget.

Process Development 

• Proactively evolve existing processes and decision criteria to account for new business needs (e.g. sample disposition, new markets and channels) and incorporate feedback and approval from relevant stakeholders
• Lead process improvement initiatives from initial concept through successful execution.

Physical Organization

• Maintain a well-organized system for physical sample storage at our San Francisco HQ
•  and the Portland office, ensuring easy tracking and retrieval.
• Lead sample organization for major events, including sales meetings, board meetings, and internal marketing or product events.
• Support the physical validation of samples sent to photoshoots, studios, and third-party partners.
• Optimize house sample sets to efficiently support a diverse range of styles and colors.
• Coordinate the availability and shipment of physical samples for product review meetings between the San Francisco and Portland offices. Additionally, oversee the archiving process for end-of-season confirmation samples

What are we looking for?

• Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated success as a self-reliant and collaborative cross-functional partner, effectively engaging with stakeholders across all levels of seniority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, including functions like SUMIF, IFERROR, VLOOKUP, INDEXMATCH, and OFFSET.
• 3+ years of professional work experience with a strong interest in the retail industry; prior retail experience is a plus but not required.
• Previous experience in consulting is a bonus.

What do we offer?

This is an in-office role, requiring a minimum attendance of three days per week. The  pay range for this role is: $74,000- $83,000 and must be performed in our San Francisco, CA corporate office. 

Allbirds routinely evaluates pay rates, and the ranges are subject to change based on market rates and other considerations.  We factor in a number of components when determining starting pay, including the job and level you are hired into, location, skillset, experience and peer compensation.

Benefits Overview:

When you join our flock at Allbirds, we offer competitive pay as well as bonus and equity for eligible roles, healthcare, retirement savings, and other great benefits for the whole being. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, please see the detailed list below.

• Health benefits include Medical, Dental, and Vision plans for employees and eligible dependents. 
• Medical plan options include: PPO, HDHP (100% premium paid for employees, employees only pay premium for dependents), and HMO (in California)
• 100% Company paid OneMedical memberships available for members of certain medical plans. 
• Company HSA contribution for enrolled HSA members.
• Financial benefits include: company equity for eligible roles, 401(k) with employer matching contribution (with immediate vesting and pre and post-tax options), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, company-paid life insurance for full time roles, short-term and long-term disability, pre-tax savings programs for eligible healthcare, childcare and commuter expenses for both full and part-time roles, medical travel expense reimbursement program for full and part-time roles.
• Unlimited PTO for full-time corporate roles, sick and vacation time for  other roles, plus parental leave (with a new parent bonus for full-time employees), volunteering, medical & family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Support benefits through Modern Health (free mental health benefit with coaching and therapy sessions), Employee Assistance Program and more.
• Other Perks include: the company discount (50%) on most Allbirds products, discount mall through LifeBalance, reimbursement on eligible wellness expenses (full-time employees) and cellphone and more for certain eligible roles.

Diversity

Allbirds is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. Allbirds policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, marital or veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.